Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Every now and then we see a tangle that is so simple yet apparently complex and open to multiple interpretations and tangleations that we just have to share it. That description applies to this fantastic tangle created by Mimi Lempart, CZT, of Florence, Massachusetts. It's called Mi2. You can read about how to do it here on tanglepatterns.com.

Here is one of Mimi's tiles using Mi2 as a monotangle:

Maria and I were admiring this tangle that Mimi describes as similar to huggins and W2. After breakfast this morning I started exploring:

I love the minimalist opportunities this tangle offers. I also love the natural shading possibilities.

I was reading on tanglepatterns about challenges creating the initial seed shapes. So I tried starting with dots and used the arcs to define the seed shape around the dots. This also gave me a chance to play with a different arrangement of seeds:

I put six dots in a row in both directions. (I put a seventh dot on the top row by "mistake." So I just made it really big and part of the design.)

Here's the sequence I used:

Thank you Mimi for contributing such a fun tangle that is simple, beautiful and open to different interpretations. While the similarities to huggins and W2 are noticeable, this tangle is unique in that the strokes (in this case, arcs) only go in one direction, whereas in huggins and W2 they go in two directions at right angles to each other.

Monday, April 16, 2012

"I think that from this article, one can assert that learning Zentangle and doing it for extended periods of time is good for your health! Of course we know that already, but here is scientific ammunition."

"Your mind may be the closest thing to the Holy Grail of longevity and happiness. Education has been widely documented by researchers as the single variable tied most directly to improved health and longevity. And when people are intensely engaged in doing and learning new things, their well-being and happiness can blossom.

"This effect becomes even more valuable as we get older. Even in old age, it turns out, our brains have more plasticity to adapt and help us than was once thought. Old dogs, in short, can learn a lot of new tricks."

"People who are intensely absorbed in a task can lose track of time and place. Hours pass like minutes. They may be tired by the task but emerge energized and happy. This condition is known as "flow," a name coined 30 years ago by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi."

From the beginning, this was our intent for Zentangle. The Zentangle method and materials were designed to be a tool that supports easy and enjoyable access to flow with a side-effect of beautiful artistic creation.

And speaking of flow, here are some Zendalas that flowed from Maria's pen late last night (more like early this morning):

I couldn't resist framing these Zendalas in the abounding patterns of Spring! Notice the use of mooka in the first one and fengleand bronx cheer in the second one. (Yes, that bronx cheerwas initially used for its intended purpose!)

is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.
We believe that life is an art form and that the Zentangle method is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life.